Off to the races: Warren's future

New York Times' Jonathan Martin writes that progressives, disappointed with Obama and uneasy with "a possible restoration of the Clintons" have made some look at newly elected Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass). as a potential 2016 candidate. Warren "said in an interview that she was not interested in seeking the presidency. And despite talk of a draft movement among some activists, it is difficult to imagine her taking on former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton. But in seizing on issues animating her party’s base — the influence of big banks, soaring student loan debt and the widening gulf between the wealthy and the working class — Ms. Warren is challenging the centrist economic approach that has been the de facto Democratic policy since President Bill Clinton and his fellow moderates took control of the party two decades ago."

Roll Call: "[A]mid the party’s formal push to have more female members, it’s become increasingly clear that some contenders need extra help and resources in their races. And while the National Republican Congressional Committee insists it will stay on the sidelines, several House GOP women are taking the lead to publicly recruit, endorse and fundraise for female House candidates."

CALIFORNIA: Fresno Bee: "A Woodlake woman who became the first Latina chief of staff to a U.S. senator has now set her eyes on the House of Representatives, as she embarks on a high-profile challenge to freshman Rep. David Valadao....Amanda Renteria, a 38-year-old graduate of Woodlake High School, Stanford and Harvard Business School, says she is running as a way 'to give people a voice and a vote that they haven't had before.'"

TEXAS: Dallas Morning News: "Wendy Davis offered a preview Sunday of her bid for governor, saying GOP leaders shouldn’t be bragging about the Texas economy and then shortchanging public education, highways and health care. The Democratic state senator said she opposes raising sales or property taxes. But she told an overflow crowd in advance of her expected Thursday announcement for governor that it’s time political leaders in Austin stop the partisanship and listen to what Texans really care about."

Politico: "Sen. Ted Cruz refused point-blank to endorse his Texas Republican colleague Sen. John Cornyn in his upcoming reelection bid at an event here Friday. 'I think it is very likely I’m going to stay out of all incumbent runs,' Cruz responded, when posed with an endorsement question at the annual Texas Tribune festival."

VIRGINIA: Washington Post: "The National Rifle Association is wading into the Virginia governor’s race with a six-figure ad campaign, potentially reviving a debate over gun issues that has been mostly dormant in the contest. Beginning Monday, the group will begin airing $500,000 worth of statewide television and online ads hitting Democrat Terry McAuliffe for his firearms stances, according to NRA spokesman Andrew Arulanandam. The campaign is designed to benefit Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli II (R), a longtime gun rights advocate who has lagged behind McAuliffe on the financial front and can use the help on the airwaves."

Also from the Post: "With portions of the Affordable Care Act set to kick in next week," Cuccinelli "is airing its first ad explicitly aimed at the health-reform measure. The ad, titled “Obamacare,” focuses on Cuccinelli’s (R) long-standing opposition to President Obama’s signature legislation while blaming" McAuliffe "for the measure’s perceived faults."